Today's News

Vancouver, BC, March 10, 2017--(T-Net)--BC Innovation Council, a provincial Crown agency focused on fueling BC's economy through the advancement of BC tech and market-driven innovation, announced today the top five finalists for a province-wide data visualization challenge held in conjunction with BC Stats.

The challenge will provide a total of $75,000 for product development. $50,000 is for the finalist prototypes, and the selected solution will receive an additional $25,000.

The challenge aims to find B.C. technology to visualize BC Stats housing data in a more meaningful and impactful way. It provides BC Stats with innovative tools for better use of their data and offers B.C. innovators with the potential to close a deal with a large government customer.

“This is a partnership between BC Stats and the BC Innovation Council that will open doors for B.C. technology companies to provide unique solutions that will benefit British Columbians,” said Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services. “We are taking steps and introducing new initiatives to make it easier for companies to sell to the B.C. government to help expand B.C.'s thriving tech sector.”

The five finalists are:

Ben Kerr, Foundry Spatial, Victoria

Frank Hangler, Plot + Scatter, Vancouver

Ben Postlethwaite, Plotly Inc., Vancouver

Ho Seok Oh, Vancouver

Sasha Bogdanovic, Ruby Industries, Kelowna

“We are spearheading initiatives to solve market challenges using B.C. technology,” said Carl Anderson, President and CEO, BC Innovation Council. “This initiative we're running with BC Stats is an example of the range of local market opportunities for B.C. tech solutions that can represent a stepping stone to large global customers.”

In addition to the prototype funding, the five finalists will receive mentorship and guidance. They will also work closely with the BC Developers' Exchange (bcdevexchange.org) and use GitHub in their prototype development.

A review panel comprised of the BC Innovation Council, BC Developers' Exchange and BC Stats is responsible for selecting the five finalists and the ultimate chosen solution. The challenge launched in December of 2016, and the chosen solution will be announced at the #BCTECH Summit on Mar 15, 2017, following public presentations by the five finalists. The selected innovator will then work with the B.C. government to develop the solution.

The BC Innovation Council, a Crown agency of the Province of B.C., accelerates the growth and success of B.C. companies by providing resources and market opportunities for applied innovations that solve challenges and drive competitiveness in B.C. industries. Through the annual #BCTECH Summit and support of the B.C. government's #BCTECH Strategy, BC Innovation Council is fostering the growth of companies that generate revenue, produce high-paying skilled jobs and drive economic development in B.C.

BCIC encourages the development and application of advanced or innovative technologies to meet the needs of industry in BC. We accelerate technology commercialization by supporting startups and developing entrepreneurs.